The purpose of this article is to introduce Evidence-Based Practice(EBP) in Social Work. EBP in social work is defined as a philosophy as well as a process where social work practitioners adopt. It involves placing the client’s benefits first, searc...
The purpose of this article is to introduce Evidence-Based Practice(EBP) in Social Work. EBP in social work is defined as a philosophy as well as a process where social work practitioners adopt. It involves placing the client’s benefits first, searching objectively and efficiently for the current best evidence relative to solving the client’s problem, and taking appropriate action guided by evidence, the client’s preference, and the social work practitioner’s clinical expertise. The evolution of EBP, its key elements and principles, and barriers of applying EBP in the field are discussed. Considering current situations where Korean social workers find themselves, the author argues that there are evolving reasons for implementing EBP in Korea. The strategies to advance EBP in social work are addressed in three ways: practice-based research in social work research, databases for social work practitioners, education and training for EBP in social work.